Rajasthan Assembly passes Bill to scrap two-child norm for panchayat elections

Rajasthan Assembly passes Bill to scrap two-child norm for panchayat elections

**Rajasthan Assembly Repeals Two-Child Policy for Local Body Elections**

Jaipur, Rajasthan – The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly today passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a significant piece of legislation that repeals the long-standing two-child norm for candidates contesting elections to Panchayati Raj institutions. The bill’s passage followed a heated debate, with opposition members raising concerns about the reversal of a policy enacted over three decades ago.

The amendment, introduced by the state government, removes the disqualification clause that prevented individuals with more than two children from participating in local body elections. Proponents of the bill argue that the policy, originally intended to promote family planning, has become outdated and may inadvertently disenfranchise capable individuals from serving their communities. They contend that the focus should now be on the individual’s ability to contribute to local governance rather than their family size.

During the legislative session, members of the opposition Congress party voiced strong objections to the repeal. They questioned the rationale behind undoing a policy that had been in place for a substantial period, suggesting that it might signal a shift away from population control measures. MLAs from the opposition benches argued that the two-child norm had played a role in raising awareness about responsible family planning and that its removal could send the wrong message. They also raised concerns about potential demographic implications in the long run.

However, the ruling party maintained that the existing legislation was no longer relevant in the current socio-economic landscape. They highlighted that many other states have already abolished similar provisions for local body elections. The government’s stance was that the decision to remove the restriction was a progressive step aimed at ensuring wider participation and that the focus should be on the merit and capability of candidates to serve the public. The amendment, they asserted, would allow a broader pool of qualified individuals to contribute to grassroots democracy.

The debate, described as acrimonious by observers, underscored the differing perspectives on population policy and its intersection with electoral eligibility. While the government emphasized individual rights and broader democratic participation, the opposition stressed the historical context and potential societal implications of reversing a policy that had been a part of the state’s legislative framework for decades.

The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will now be sent for the Governor’s assent, after which it will come into effect. This legislative development marks a notable shift in the state’s approach to eligibility criteria for local governance, potentially opening doors for a more diverse range of candidates in future Panchayat elections. The long-term impact of this repeal on family planning initiatives and the composition of local representative bodies remains to be seen.

This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.